Our Eco-Friendly Efforts
Since there is no Planet B, we have tried our best to be as eco-friendly as possible, especially with such a large event that has an incredible impact to our Earth. Our goal with this was to both be kind to our planet, as well as raise awareness. We are nowhere close to perfect, and there are many other ways we could improve, but this is our small way of doing our part on our big day!
Our Efforts
Going Digital
Digital invitations & thank you notes & limiting paper products would make a significant impact. Paper can be recycled, but not using it in the first place is even better! We opted to go completely digital for invitations (this website and emails) and thank you notes, and you will notice on our wedding day that we will have as much reusable signage as possible as well as limited paper products.
Wooden Flowers
Instead of using live flowers that would be taken from it's planted home where it would produce oxygen, and then be thrown away after a day's use or even if it was donated to another location and then tossed, we thought it would be more worth while to use soft wooden flowers that are preserved for a lifetime and that can be displayed throughout our home.
Repurposed Dress
Danielle's wedding dress is not bought from any ol' store, it is repurposed from her mother, Cathy's wedding dress, Nick's mother, Laura's wedding dress, and Danielle's grandmother on her mom's side, Jacki's wedding dress. She had a seamstress use all the three dresses and morph it into one dress from the material. This represents her "something old", "something new", and "something borrowed." Sewn inside the dress, is Danielle's grandmother on her dad's side, Cathé's Dodger's shirt, which is her something blue.
Food
All the food we will be eating is in season and per the chef's recommendations. We will be eating vegetables, fruit and other foods from the Temecula Creek Inn garden and other locally sourced foods. By consuming and purchasing locally grown foods you help maintain farmland and green and/or open space in the community. Near the garden, Temecula Creek Inn also has a butterfly sanctuary to help increase the butterfly population and help pollinate the garden for the best harvest.
Less Material Items
After being together for 10 years, we have pretty much all of the essentials we need! Limiting physical use of items limits the impact of products in circulation. To do that, we have a preference for cash funds. Shipping things alone has major impacts with driving the items where they need to go and the shipping material that is used. Of course, if material items is your preferred method of gifting, we won't stop you and will still aprreciate it!
Digital Favors
For favors, make sure to look for our QR code of an Spotify and Apple Music playlist of everyone's song request! Too often at weddings we see physical favors left and not taken, or people never using personalized favors. We are opting to stay with our music theme (since we met through marching band) and giving you the gift of music to listen on your way home that has you remembering our party of a lifetime!
Carpool If Possible
Many people will be staying at similar hotels due to room blocks, so we ask to coordinate carpooling to the events to limit gas emissions and carbon footprint when possible. This will also save your group money either on a rental car so you don't have to buy more than you need or on a Lyft / Uber / Taxi! It is a win / win.
Reusable Dishware
Reusing is always the best option if available. We will be utilizing plates, glasses, and silverware that is all reusable and washable to limit single use items. We also will be using washable napkins and table runners which can be reused at another event.
Ethical Rings
Danielle's engagement ring is a lab diamond instead of a "real" diamond or "blood" diamond. Danielle's engagement ring is conflict free, and we know exactly where it was sourced and made. No mining was done in the process of creating the diamond, so much less environmental impact was done to create the beautiful gem. For our wedding bands, we are planning to go vintage and reuse wedding bands from Danielle's great grandparents.
Grand Entrance
Since sparklers are a fire hazard, and most items such as flower petals, leaves, birdseed, confetti, glowsticks, etc. are typically one use, we have opted for a (very cheesy and not something we ever pictured doing) horse and carriage grand entrance instead of a send off! The horse and carriage comes with our venue and was no additional cost, and we almost find it humorous - so we are taking advantage of this perk for the memory!
Lighting
As our centerpieces, we will have live soy candles to minimize the electricity utilized. Battery operated candles can have chemicals and typically are manufactured overseas which creates excess shipping. Soy wax contains nothing artificial, which makes it a better alternative to old-fashioned paraffin wax, which is made from petroleum oil and produces harmful by-products when burned or melted. Soy wax is non-toxic making it better both for the environment and your health! For lighting provided by the venue, they are LED lights, so the most energy efficient possible for powered lights.
TCI Hotel
Within the Temecula Creek Inn hotel, where many guests will be staying, they are committed to improving their carbon footprint and are in the process (and almost done!) of switching to reusable shampoo, conditioner, and soap pumps instead of using single use plastic bottles each day. In addition, in their gift shops they are moving towards glass bottles instead of plastics for sodas and other items as well as other reusable items. We appreciate partnering with a venue and hotel who have sustainability on their mind.
The Menu
Although Danielle would have loved an all vegetarian menu, and Nick wouldn't have minded, some family and friends would probably have been pretty upset! So we compromised with a 50/50 vegetarian and protein option to at least limit the carbon footprint from the protein and are happy that the food is locally sourced.
Multi-Purpose Space
To limit complexity, time and most importantly carbon emissions - we chose a venue that could host our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all at the same place!
The Great Outdoors
We are getting married outside for a reason! One, we love being outdoors and the beauty of nature. But secondly, it limits how many flowers and décor we need since outside is beautiful on its own!
Honeymoon
Travel can cause an incredible strain on the environment so we are committed to traveling to the best of our ability in a sustainable way. There are many websites such as kindtraveler.com, ecobnb.com, sustainabletravel.org, sustainablejungle.com which give recommendations on places to stay and tips for how to make the smallest impact on the environment while traveling.